Rensselaer, NY Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 44% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Rensselaer Safe?
Somewhat — crime is near the national average
Safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Some areas are safe, others are not.
Rensselaer has a crime rate that is 14% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 328.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 328
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
20% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 59
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
7% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Rensselaer Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
88 | -12% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
88 | -12% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
91 | -9% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
90 | -10% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Rensselaer Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Rensselaer Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Rensselaer zip codes.
Rensselaer Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Rensselaer, NY?
Rensselaer, NY has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 14% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 328 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 59 chance for property crime. Rensselaer has lower crime than 44% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Rensselaer, NY safe to live in?
Rensselaer has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Rensselaer is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Rensselaer?
The estimated violent crime rate in Rensselaer is 304.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 20% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 328 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.4 per 100K (12% below average); aggravated assault at 236.7 per 100K (12% below average); robbery at 40.1 per 100K (46% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Rensselaer?
The estimated property crime rate in Rensselaer is 1,706.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 7% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 59 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 146.3 per 100K (46% below average); larceny/theft at 1,272.8 per 100K (9% below average); vehicle theft at 287.4 per 100K (10% below average).
How does Rensselaer crime compare to the national average?
Rensselaer's overall crime rate is 14% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (9% below average), while robbery is 46% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Rensselaer has lower crime than 44% of them.
Is Rensselaer safe to visit?
Visitors to Rensselaer should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 7% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Rensselaer crime compare to the rest of New York?
New York as a whole has crime that is 1% above the national average. Rensselaer's crime rate is 14% below the national average, making it safer the typical New York city.
What type of crime is most common in Rensselaer?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Rensselaer, with an estimated rate of 1,272.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 9% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,707 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (305 per 100K) in Rensselaer, which is consistent with national trends.